Picking mechanism for looms



April 2, 1957 T. F. RAPP ETAL PICKING MECHANISM FOR Looms v 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 24, 1954 www, NNY BNN r Il o x mlm. wellllllllllllllmH|IM1NHU I #www I# .wm .Mr l Mmm. mm Q w l f x V A a, Q 9 N .E 1MM T. F. RAPP ET AL PICKING MECHANISM FOR LOOMS April 2, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 24. 1954 April 2, 1957 T.,F. RAPP Erm.`

cICKING MECHANISM FOR LooMs 4 vSl'xeets-Sheet 5 Filed June 24, 1954 Y April 2, 1957 T. F. RAPP ET AL PICKING MECHANISM F'R LOOMS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 24. 1954 @WN www @mk www O n .R SN @mx xmvm NNN H @N N w l R ..NNvN rub n ,L SN) 1 f lwwm.

WAN; Q L d W O mi .Rl @NWN @WN mh maman riciclato MucHnNrsM non LooMs Theodore RRapp, Delmar, and Robert J. Demartini, Rensselaer, N. Y., assignors to F. C. Hayek da Sens, Rensselaer, N. Y., a `corporation .of New York Application June 24, 1954, Serial No. 439,044 1s claims. 4(ci. 1394142) This invention relates to looms and more particularly to a picking motionadmirably suited for use in extremely wide loo-ms of the type employed in the weaving of papermakers felts, carpets and similar fabrics.

ln U. S, Letters Patent 1,966,704 granted July 17, 1934 and `Patent 2,517,454*r granted August l, 1950 to Van Alstyne et al., there is disclosed picking mechanism in which the energy in a rotating flywheel is availed of for pulling the picker straps which are attached to the picker means, which in said patents are picker sticks. A inechanical clutch device is provided between the rotating flywheel and the picker sticks. A particular feature of Patent 2,517,454 is` the provision or" adjusting means for varying the interval during which the clutch elements are held in engagement. The latter patentalso provides adjustable means for varying the pressure with which the clutch elements are forced into or held in engagement. The adjustable features thus provided make it possible to select the desired strength and duration of the picking stroke for any particular set of circumstances. However, such adjustments may be made only when the loom is stopped. Thus, several starts and stops might have to be made before suitable picking action is achieved. Furthermore, with apparatus such as that shown in the `Van Alstyne et al. patents aforesaid, every `pickfrorn aparticular end of the loomwill be of approxi-mately the same strength.

,it is an object of the present invention to provide picking mechanism in which the energy in arotating flywheel is availed of for moving the picker means and in which the strength of pick is consistently uniform when desired and yet may be varied while the loom-is in operation. Ey providing independent mechanism at the opposite ends of the loom the relative strength f picks from opposite ends may be made equal or unequal as desired. Further- `more, the present inventionmakes it possible to automatically provide picks of different strength from either or both ends of the loom in accordancewith shedding condi- Vtions.

The present invention provides, for achieving the objects thereof, -an electromagnetic clutch between the rotating flywheel andthe picker meansvwith adjustable timing devices for engaging and disengaging vthe clutch in proper timed relation with the other operations ofthe loom. Also, there may be provided adjustable means for varying the force with which the clutch elements are engaged whereby the strength of pick may be varied either manually for over all adjustment of pick strength or automatically to produce picks of greater or less strength in accordance with shedding conditions.

Other and further objects ofthis invention will vary from a consideration of the following detailed 'disclosure or preferred, but not necessarily the only forms of the invention, taken in connection with the drawings forming a part of this specification.

in the drawings:

Fig. 1 isa front elevational `view of r'a -loomembodying the present invention;

United States Patent 0 provided with a V-shaped HCC 2. Fig..2 is a wiring diagram; `lig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3 in Fig. l; Fig. 4'is an elevational viewfrom the right hand end of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 6 is a fragmentary View of certain parts at the extreme right hand end of the loom shown inFig. l;

Fig. 7 `is a vertical section along the line 7-7`in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section along the line 8--8` in Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram similar to Fig. 2 but showing a modified form of the invention; and

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing oneform of switching arrangements suitable for use in connection with `the modification illustrated inFig. 9.

Referring now to Fig. l, there is shown a loom indicated generally at l@ which includes a headmotion indicated generally at l2, a headend shuttle box 14 and `drive end shuttle '00x16 and a main drive shaft 18 which performs one complete revolution on each pick. 'the depending upon the particular m to which itrnay be desired to adapt the present invention.

At the headend of the loom there is provided apicker stick 2d adapted to propel -a shuttle (not shown) from any of the cells of the head end shuttle box 14 upon movement of the picker stick in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1. At the drive end of the loom a picker Stick 22 is provided for cooperation with shuttles in the drive end shuttle box 16 and which is adapted to propel a shuttle from the box loupon movement of the picker stick 22 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. l. The

`picker sticks Ztl and 2.2 are each provided with a return `spring 2d and '26, respectively, `which serves to return generally at 36 and 38 which incorporate liywheels which will be described hereinbelow and which are `driven by motors 4t) and 42 through belts'lltand 46.

Referring now to Figs.`3 and 4 wherein. for purposes of illustration the clutch 38 is shown in detail,` it will be observed that the mechanism is supported in a stand comprising spaced vertically extending members 4S and Si) and a horizontally disposed channel member 52. A horizontally disposed shaft Sd is fixed at its opposite ends against rotation to the vertical frame members ri and 56. A ywheel S6 is mounted for rotation upon the shaft 54 by means of suitable bearings 53. The flywheel 5o is groove oil to receive the belt 46 which connects `the flywheel 5o with the motor 42. A hub 62 is secured as by cap screws 64 to the flywheel AThe driving membero-of an electrical clutch is secured through a ring 5S to the hub 62. Thus the `driving member 66 rotates with'theywheel 56 about thexed shaft Se. .The hub 62 carries on its periphery a ring itl made of electrically non-conductive material and having embedded therein slip ringsZ and 7d made of electrically conductive material. The slip rings 72 and 74 are electrically connected with opposite ends of a Winding 76 positioned within the clutch driving member `66. Brushes 78 and lill (each actually comprising twobrush elements as shown inFig. 4) are arranged to establish electrical contact respectively with the slip rings 72 and`74. The brushes 78 andtl are carried in a brush holder indicated generally at 82 whichhis supported by a stationary frame establishing desired connection with the brushes 78 and 8i?.

The driven member of the clutch 58 includes a hub Mi freely rotatable and axially slidable upon the fixed shaft 54 by means of suitable bearings 92. A thrust washer 94 is positioned in a suitable recess in the hub 9) which may be secured to the hub 90 by a plurality of bolts 11M. The clutch face assembly may be of any suitable commercial form, the form illustrated comprising :a retaining disk 106 having Ventilating louvres 103 and arranged to support a generally ring-like clutch element 110 made of a ferrous metal capable of being attracted magnetically. As indicated above, the precise structure of the clutch elements is immaterial to the present invention. For example, the ring-like clutch element 110 actually may comprise a series of circumferentially disposed iron shoes and the retaining disk 106 is so constructed as to provide for minute relative movement between the shoes to insure intimate contact thereof with the face of the electromagnet 66.

The position of the parts illustrated in Fig. 3 is that which exists when the clutch elements are disengaged, being held in disengaged position by the spring 98. The spacing between the disengaged elements of the clutch 38 may be adjusted by `appropriate positioning of the nut 96. To this end the nut 96 is threadably received upon a sleeve 112 xed upon the shaft 54. Preferably, the nut 96 is provided with a set screw 114 to maintain the same in adjusted position. Upon energization of the coil 76 of the driving member 66 the ring-like member 110 is attracted into engagement with the driving member 66 and the hub 9) moves longitudinally of the shaft 54 against the spring 98 whereupon rotation will be imparted to the hub 90.

Rotation thus imparted to the hub 90 is transmitted to the picker sticks through the following mechanism. The hub 90 is provided with a lug 116 having an opening 118 therein to receive the picker strap 34. The picker strap 34 has secured on the end thereof a tting 120 which is large-r than the opening 118 and thus serves to anchor the end of the picker strap 34 to the lug 116. The hub 9i) is also provided with a surface 122 extending away from the lug 116 and having a constantly increasing radius of curvature. The surface 122 is aligned with the picker strap 34 so that upon rotation of the hub 90 in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, the strap 34 will wind upon the surface 122. The constantly increasing radius of curvature of the surface 122 will accelerate the rate of winding and longitudinal movement of the strap 34. Such action provides desired accelerated movement of the picker stick 22 for propelling a shuttle across the loom. It will be apparent that only a fraction of a revolution of the hub 90 is required for complete operation of the picker stick 22. Thus the clutch elements described above must be disengaged at the proper time to permit the hub 90 to cease rotation when sufficient movement has been imparted to the picker stick 22. The present invention provides suitable electrical timing means for deenergizing the electromagnet in clutch 38 to secure this result.

Upon deenergization of the electro-magnetic clutch 38 the return spring 26, through strap 3, will be effective to swing the picker stick clockwise as viewed in Fig. 1 and thus to unwind the picker strap 34 from the hub 90. The hub 99 is provided with a stop lug 124 which enl gages the fixed stop 126 carried by a bracket 128 mounted upon the frame member 52.

From a consideration of the description so far presented, it will be apparent that while the picker stick 22 will always return to a fixed position determined by the stop members 124 and 126, the length of the stroke in an active direction may be varied by the operating of timing means which will serve to deenergize the electromagnet. The strength of the stroke of picker stick 22 is dependent upon the ultimate speed and duration of the accelerated rotation of the hub during the time that the strap 34 is being wound thereupon. Therefore a primary selection of strength of pick may be made by selection of speed of rotation of the flywheel 56 and by the timing of deenergization of the clutch magnet. Beyond this, however, the present invention provides means for varying the strength of pick by varying the flux density of the magnetic field established upon energization of the winding 76. A simple way of achieving this result is illustrated herein and consists essentially in the provision of a variable resistance in the circuit through which winding 76 is energized. As the amount of resistance inserted in the circuit increases the linx density will dccreasc and the driving element of the clutch 38 will be less positively engaged by the driven element. rIhe less positively such engagement occurs, the more slippage will result between the driving and driven elements of the clutch 38 and the rate of acceleration as well as the ultimate speed of the picker stick 22 will be correspondingly reduced. In Fig. 2 there is shown a suitable circuit diagram for adapting the present invention to a loom with provision for proper timing and for the selection of suitable pick strength at each end of the loom while the same is in operation if so desired. In Fig. 9 there is illustrated a modified circuit diagram for achieving all of the functions provided in Fig. 2 and, in addition, providing for automatic variation in pick strength in accordance with shed-ding conditions.

Referring iirst to Fig. 2, lines 130, 132 and 134 may be connected with a source of three-phase alternating current. A switch 136 is connected through lines 138, 141) and 142 and may be closed to energize the motors 40 and 42. A single phase circuit consisting of the lines 142 and 140 is simultaneously energized to close a magnetic switch 144. The switch 144 is interposed in a line 146 which, with a line 148, is connected with a source of single-phase alternating current. In a typical installation the three-phase circuit for energizing the motors 4t) and 42 may be at 460 volts and the Single-phase circuit controlled by the magnetic switch 144 may be at ll5 volts. The ll5-volt line 146 may be connected by magnetic switch 144 through a line 150 and fuse 152 with one input side of a full wave rectifier indicated generally at 154. The line 148 is connected to the opposite side of the rectifier 154. rlhe rectifier 154 has been provided to supply direct current to the electromagnets in the clutches 36 and 33. It will be understood that alternating current might be used for energizing magnets of suitable design if available to the user, in which event the circuit and related apparatus would be appropriately altered. Obviously, the selection of suitable voltages and current sources are matters of individual choice and form no limitation upon the present invention.

In the form of invention shown in Fig. 2, the winding 76 for the drive end clutch 38 is connected through wires 75 and 77, slip rings 72 and 74 and associated brushes '73 and 80, with positive and negative outputs of the rectifier 154. rlhe negative side is connected through a line 156 and line 86 while the positive side is connected through a cut-0E ring 158, a variable resistor 160, a selector switch indicated generally at 162 and a timer switch indicated generally at 164.

The selector switch 162, in its simplest form, may include a fixed contact 166, another fixed contact 168 and a pivoted contact arm 170 adapted to be selectively engaged with one or theother of the fixed contacts 166 or 168, In the position shown in Fig. 2, the arm 170 engages the contact 168 for energizing the winding 76 of the drive-end #clutch 38. The xed contact 166 is connected through a line 172, a variable resistor 174, similar to the resistor 161i, a cut-0E ring 176 and a slip ring 178 with the winding 180 for the head-end clutch 36. The opposite end of the winding 1S@ is connected through a slip ring 182 with the negative line 156. Thus when the arm 170 of selector switch 162 engages the contact 166 the head-end clutch winding 1&0 will be energized and the drive-end clutch winding 76 will not be energized. As shown in Fig. 1, the selector switch 162 may be positioned at the head-end of the loom :and adapted for operation by a suitable part of the head motion to determine the end of the loom from which a pick is to occur.

The timer switch 164, in its simplest form, may comprise a tixed contact 184, and a pivoted contact arm 186 having a cam follower 188 bearing upon a cam 19t) having a flat 192. Rotation of the cam 19t) to bring the flat 192 into engagement with the cam follower 183 will result in closing of the contacts 1&6 and 184 whereas in all other positions of the cam 190 said contacts will be open `as illustrated in Fig. 2. As Shown in Fig. 6, the timer switch 164 may be mounted upon the frame of the loom near the drive end thereof and arranged to close the contacts 186 and 184 for `a brief period during each cycle of the loom.

Mechanical details of one illustrative form of timer switch 164 and selector switch 162 will be set forth hereinbelow although it will be understood that either or both of these switches may take many forms and may be operated by any of a number or" the moving parts of the loom.

The cut-oit ring 158 for the drive end clutch 38 may be mounted as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, for example, and the mechanical details thereof will be set forth hereinbelow. However, for the purposes of understanding the circuit diagram in Fig. 2, it is suiiicient to state that the cut-off ring 158 is made of electrically conductive material and describes less than a complete circle and is mounted upon the driven element of the clutch for rtation therewith. As shown in Fig. 2, the cut-olf ring 153 is provided with a brush 194 which remains constantly in engagement therewith and an arcuately adjustabl brush 196 which is in contact with the cut-off ring 158 when the clutch is in the disengaged position. Upon energization of the clutch 38 the cut-off ring 15S will rotate with the driven member in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, eventually to bring the open segment of cut-off ring 158 opposite the adjustable brush 196. When this occurs the winding 76 is deenergized. It will be apparent that the timer switch 164 is relied upon to initiate energization of the clutch and that the cut-off ring 158 is relied upon for deenergizing the clutch. The arcuately adjustable brush is provided in order that precise timing of the eut-ott may be achieved. A condenser 19S may be connected between the brush 196 and the negative line 155 in order to suppress arcing when the circuit is opened as described.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 6, 7 and 8, an illustrative form of timer switch is shown. The switch 164 may be positioned within a casing 20@ and have projecting therefrom a rotatable shaft 202, The shaft 202 may be internally connected with or have formed thereon the cam 190 described hereinabove and the contacts 184 and 186 may be connected into the circuit by means of a cable 21M projecting from the case 200. Illustratively, the timer switch 164 may be mounted on the frame of the loom adjacent the main drive shaft 18 and may be connected with such shaft by sprockets 206 and 2118 and a sprocket chain 21d. The sprockets 206 and 2413 may be of the same diameter' whereby to cause closing of the contacts 184 and 186 once for each revolution of the shaft 18. Preferably also, the casing 200 of the switch 164 is secured within a clamp ring 212 fixed upon the loom frame whereby the casing 200 may be secured in a desired rotated position to bring about closing of the contacts at the precise instant required .for initiation of the picking operation. As a matter 'of convenience, index marks 214 may be provided on the switch casing 200 for cooperation with a suitable fixed index mark 216 to indicate the relative position of the timer switch.

The selector switch 162, as stated above, may be operated in any convenient manner from the head motion of the loom. As shown illustratively in Fig. 1, the selector switch 162 may be proved with an actuating lever 218 connected by a link 220 with a shift lever 222 normally provided in the loom for actuating the pick motion which has been supplanted in the present invention by the mechanism described above. The lever 222 swings between two diiferent positions in response to a pattern chain 224, all as well understood in this art. The motions of the shift lever 222 may be transmitted through the link 220 and actuating arm 213 to place the swinging contact arm (see Fig. 2) selectively in engagement with the contacts 166 and 168.

As Shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the cut-off ring 158 may be carried on the outer periphery of a housing 226 s-ecured by screws 22S to the hub 91). r1`he cut-01T ring 158 is electrically insulated from the housing 226 by a ring 230 of insulating material in which the cut-oit ring 153 is embedded whereby to present a smooth periphery partially conductive and partially non-conductive for engagement by the adjustable brush 196. The adjustable brush 196 may be carried by an arm 232 upon a collar 234 which conveniently may form a part of the threaded sleeve 112 upon which the nut 96 is carried. The collar 234 is provided with set screws 236 for holding the same fixed against the shaft 5d. lt will be apparent that the brush 196 thus may be arcuately adjusted relative to the cut-off ring 15S and held in such position by the set screws 236. As pointed out above, such adjustment of the brush 1% establishes the precise moment for deenergization of the electro-magnet within the clutch 33. The iixed brush 194 may be carried by a bracket 23S secured by screws 24d to the clamp 242 within which the shaft 54 is fixed.

The ux density of the electro-magnets may be controlled by the vari-able resistor `6d for the drive end clutch 33 or the variable resistor 174 for the head end clutch 3d. The control knobs for these variable resistors have not been shown in the drawings and it will be understood that such knobs as well as various `other controls may be embodied in an linstrument panel conveniently accessible to the operator of the loom.

The operation of the device so far described has been brought out in the course of the description of the various parts thereof. The primary advantages oifered by said Patents 1,966,704 and 2,517,454 have been retained and the provision 4of the electro-magnetic clutch provides not only a more consistent pick strength but also the very great further advantage of the control of timing and pick strength while the loom is in operation. The timer switch 164, the cut-oit brush 196 `and the variable resistors 15d and 176 all may be yoperated while the loom is active.

As stated above, the particular construction lof the electrical clutch forms no part `of the present invention inasmuch as suitable units are available in the market from several sources. It should be pointed out, however, that lmany such clutches incorporate the electro-magnetic windings in the driven member whereas in the present instance it is preferable to incorporate such windings in the driving member. This not only avoids application `of shock loads `to the windings but also reduces the inertia of the driven member. Inasmuch as energy is stored Iin a iiywheel rotating with the driving member in the present construction the additional mass represented by the relatively heavy windings is advantageous.

It will be understood that the head-end clutch 36 may be identical with the drive end clutch 38 described here- 7 inabove in detail. Therefore, except for such elements as have been described in connection with the circuit diagram Vin Fig. 2, it has not been regarded as necessary to describe all of the elements of `the clutch 36.

In Figs. 9 and l0 there is illustrated a modification of the invention which incorporates all of the features described above in connection with Figs. l through 8 and in addition shows one illustrative form of automatic `control of pick strength. The circuit diagram presented in Fig. 9 is thus identical with that in Fig. 2 except that provision is made for placing a shunt across the variable resistors 160 and 174 at any time when a stronger pick is desired. Thus, in Fig. 9 a shunt resistor 244 is connected through a line 246 with one side of the variable resistor 160 and through a switch 248 and line 250 with `the other side thereof. The switch 243 may be identical in construction with timer switch 164 described hereinabove whereby upon each revolution of -a cam 252 therein a movable contact 254 is brought into engagement with a fixed Contact 256 thereby placing the shunt resistor `24d across the variable resistor 16d. Similarly, a shunt resistor 25S and switch 26d is provided for the variable resistor 174. The switch 260 may be provided with a cam 262 adapted upon each rotation to close the circuit including the shunt resistor 258.

As shown in Fig. l0, the shaft 202 `of the timer `sWit-ch 164 may be extended to accommodate a sprocket 264 connected by a sprocket ychain 266 `and sprocket 268 with a shaft 270 upon which is also carried a sprocket 272. The sprocket 272 is connected through a sprocket chain 274 with `another shaft 276. The shafts `27@ and 276 extend into change-gear boxes 27d and 280, respectively, secured upon the frame of the loom. The shafts 270 and 276 constitute input shafts `for said change-gear boxes 27S `and 28() and the output shafts thereof are connected respectively with `the lswitches 248 and 260. It will be understood that appropriate gearing will be arranged within the change-gear yboxes 278 and 280 to provide any desired ratio between the input shafts 27d and 276 :and the rotary elements of the switches 24S and 260. In ycertain types of Weaving the shed formed for one pick may offer a predetermined resistance to the iiight of the shuttle whereas the shed formed `for the next pick may offer very much greater or very much less resistance. This becomes important, for example, in Wilton-type carpet looms in which loop-forming wires lay in the Warpwise direction. By the selection of appropriate gear ratios for the boxes 278 and 280, the switches 248 and 264) may be caused to close at regular intervals corresponding with the demand for stronger picks.

The mechanism just described is merely illustrative and it will be understood that the principles of the present invention are not limited to looms in which the picking means is in the form of the conventional picking sticks herein illustrated. Also, it will be readily understood that switches for controlling the strength of pick may be incorporated in the head motion, for example. In such event switches substantially identical with the selector switch 162 described hereinabove may be connected with appropriate levers in the head motion to 'bring -about a stronger pick when some specic shedding Icondition is established. Obviously, also, the `shunt resistors 244 and 25S illustrated herein may be variable resistors similar to the resistors 160 and 174 whereby to establish desired strength of the stronger picks.

We claim:

l. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism `for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, means including an electro-magnet adapted upon energization of said electro-magnet to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, means for moving said driving and driven elements into disengaged position upon deenergization of said electromagnet, means `actuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associ-ated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing `said electro-magnet in proper timed relation for initiation of movement of the associated picker means, and switch mans operated by said driven clutch ele-ment for deenergizing said electro-magnet.

2. In a picking mechanism -for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a iiywheel, means for rotating said flywheel, a driving clutch element xed for rotation with said flywheel, a driven clutch element, means including an electro-magnet adapted upon energization of said electro-magnet to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, means for moving said driving and driven elements into disengaged position upon deenergization of said electro-magnet, means actu-ated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing said electro-magnet in proper timed relation for initiation of movement of the associated picker means, and switch means operated by said driven clutch element for deenergizing said electro-magnet.

3. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, -means including an electro-magnet adapted upon energization of said electro-magnet to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, means for moving said driving and driven elements into disengaged position upon deenergization of said electromagnet, means actuated vby `said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, and electrical control means operated by said loom for selectively energizing and deenergizing the electro-magnet in one or the other of said actuating mechanisms during each pick cycle of the loom, said electrical control means including means operable while said loom is in operation for varying the times in each pick cycle at which the selected electro-magnet is energized and deenergized.

4. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, means including an electro-magnet adapted upon energization of said electro-magnet to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, means for moving said driving and driven elements into disengaged position upon deenergization of said electromagnet, means actuated by said driven element f-or imparting motion of said driven element to the `associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of the associated picker means, switch means operated by the affected driven clutch element for deenergizing the affected electromagnet, and means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times at which each of said switch means is effective.

5. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means Iat each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a iiywheel, means` for rotating said flywheel, a driving clutch ele-ment fixed for rotation with said iiywheel, a driven clutch element, means including an electro-magnet adapted upon energization `of said electro-magnet to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, means for moving said driving and driven elements into disengaged position upon deenergization of said electro-magnet, means actuated by said ydriven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom :for energizing one or the other` of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanisms during each pick cycle of the toom for initiation of movement of the lassociated picker means, switch means operated by the `afected driven clutch element for deenergizing the affected electro-magnet, and means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times at which each of said switch means is effective.

6. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, 1a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet Iand the other of said clutch elements having a portion adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof to drivingly engage said -driving and driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means actuated by said driven element for `imparting moti-011 of said driven element to the associated picker means, and electrical control means operated yby said -loom for selectively energizing land deenergizing the electro-magnet in one or the other of said actuating mechanisms during each pick cycle of the loom, said electrical control means including means operable while said loom is `in operation for independently varying the times in each pick cycle at which the selected electro-magnet is energized and deenergized.

7. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, -actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet and the other of said clutch elements having a portion adapted to `be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof rto drivingly engage said driving and `driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means actuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanisms during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of the :associated picker means, switch means operated by the affected driven clutch element for deenergizing the affected electro-magnet, Iand means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times at which each of said switch means is effective.

8. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a ywheeL means for rotating said flywheel, a driving clutch element fixed for rotation with said flywheel, said driving clutch element including an electro-magnet, a driven clutch element, said driven clutch element having a portion adapted to 'be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof to drivingly engage said driving and driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and vdriven elements toward disengaged position, means Iactuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other ot the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanisms during each pick cycle of the loom for initiation of movement of the associated picker means, switch means operated 'by the affected driven clutch element for deenergizing the affected electro-magnet, and means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times at Which each of said switch means is effective.

9. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, means for causing relative move- 10 t ment between said driving clutch element and said driven clutch element to bring said elements into frictional engagement, spring means yieldably urging said dn'ving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means lactuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, means operated by said loom for moving said clutch elements into and out of frictional engagement, and means operable while said loom is in operation -f'or Varying the amount of energy imparted to either of said picker means by the associated lactuating mechanism, said last-named means includ-ing means for varying the amount of slippage between said frictionally engaged clutch elements.

10. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rota-ting said driving clutch element, ya driven clutch element, an electro-magnet for causing relative movement between said driving clutch element and said driven clutch element to bring said. elements into frictional engagement, spring means yielda'bly urging said `driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means actuated by said driven element for imparting motion yof said driven element to the associated picker means, means .operated by said loom `for energizing and deenerg-izing said electro-magnet, and means operable while said loom is in operation for varying the `amount of energy imparted to either of said picker means by the associated ractuating mechanism, said last named means including means for varying the effective strength of the alected electro-magnet whereby differing amounts of slippage will occur between said frictionally engaged clutch elements.

1l. In a picking mechanism for looms having pick-er means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, -a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet land the other of said clutch elements having a portion `adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof to frictionally engage said driving and driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means actuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of the associated picker means, `and means operable while said loom is in operation for adjusting the etective `strength of either of said electro-magnets whereby to vary the amount of energy imparted to said picker means.

l2. In a picking mechanism `for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet `and the other of said clutch elements having a portion adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof 'to frictionally engage said driving and driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means yactuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven clement to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of `the associated picker means, and means automatically operable by said loom for changing the effective strength of vat least one of said electro-magnets for predetermined pick cycles of the loom whereby the amount of energy imparted to the associated picker means in said prede- 1 l termined pick cycles is different from the amount of energy imparted thereto in the remaining pick cycles.

13. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means `at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating `said driving clutch element, la `driven clutch element, one 'of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet and the other of said clutch elements having `a portion adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof to frictionally engage said driving Iand driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said `driving and `driven elements toward disengaged position, means yactuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the 4associated picker means, switch means oper- `ated by said Vloom for energizing one or the other' of `the electro-magnets -in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of the associated picker means, means operable While said loom is in operation for adjusting the effective strength of either of said electro-magnets whereby to vary the amount of energy imparted to said picker means, and means automatically operable by said loom for changing 'the effective strength Iof at least one of said electro-magnets `for predetermined pick cycles of the loom whereby the amount of energy imparted to the associated picker means in said predetermined pick cycles is different from the amount of energy imparted thereto in the remaining pick cycles.

14. In -a picking mechanism for looms 'having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, means for rotating said driving clutch element, a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electro-magnet and the other of said clutch elements having Ia portion adapted to be attracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof to frictionally engage said driving and driven -clut-ch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, means actuated by said driven element for impartingmotion of said driven ele ment to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the other of the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the 4loom for initiating Iof movement of the associated picker means, switch means operated by the affected driven clutch element for deenergizing the aieeted electro-magnet, means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times `at which 12 each of said switch means is effective to vary the timing and duration of stroke of the associated picker means, and means operable while said loomris in operation to adjust the effective strength of either of said electro-magnets to vary the amount of energy imparted to the associated picker means.

15. In a picking mechanism for looms having picker means at each end thereof, actuating mechanism for each picker means comprising a rotatable driving clutch element, lmeans for rotating lsaid driving clutch element, `a driven clutch element, one of said clutch elements including an electromagnet and the other :of said clutch elements having a portion adapted to be lattracted by said electro-magnet upon energization thereof `to rictionally engage said driving and driven clutch elements, spring means yieldably urging said driving and driven elements toward disengaged position, mean-s actuated by said driven element for imparting motion of said driven element to the associated picker means, switch means operated by said loom for energizing one or the yother Iof the electro-magnets in said actuating mechanism during each pick cycle of the loom for initiating of movement of the associated picker means, switch means operated by the affected driven clutch element for deenergizing the `atfected electro-magnet, means operable while said loom is in operation to independently vary the times at which each of said switch means is eifective to vary the timing Iand duration of stroke of the associated picker means, means operable while said loom is in operation to adjust the effective strength of either of said electro-magnets to vary the amount of energy imparted to the associated picker means, and means operated automatically by said loom for changing the eiective strength of at least one of said electro-magnets for predetermined pick cycles of said loom whereby the amount of energy imparted to the associated picker means in said predetennined pick cycles is different from the amount :of energy imparted thereto in the remaining pick cycles.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,966,704 Bell et al. `luly 17, 1934 2,428,807 Mikna Oct. 14, 1947 2,465,829 Ancet Mar. 29, 1949 2,517,454 Van Alstyne et al. Aug. 1, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 187,573 Great Britain Feb. 8, 1923 

